This piquant preserve is delicious spread on top of goat cheese on crostini and makes a great hors d’oeuvre. It is equally delicious on cheese or savory scones. INGREDIENTS: 5 cups crushed strawberries (about 5 lbs) 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons good quality, aged Balsamic vinegar 6 tablespoons pectin (powdered pectin, like Ball) 7...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon grated peeled ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped 1 lb. rhubarb, stalks only, cut into 1-inch pieces Salt and freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Four 6-ounce salmon fillets with skin 4 ounces pea shoots or watercress METHOD:...Read More

Don’t let the idea of an avocado in a chocolate smoothie put you off! It’s creamy, super-chocolate-y, and delicious any time of day. INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups vanilla almond or cashew milk 1/2 ripe avocado, pit removed and pulp scooped out 1 ripe banana 2 tablespoons raw cocoa powder 1-2 tablespoons honey or other sweetener...Read More

First, prepare the seafood gumbo stock (recipe below) very early in the day, or better yet, make it the day before you plan to serve the gumbo. In true New Orleans style, serve gumbo with some crusty bread and an ice-cold beer. INGREDIENTS: 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon...Read More

The flavor of ripe, sweet strawberries combined with the slow heat of the peppers gives this easy jam a wonderful zingy flavor. INGREDIENTS: 4 cups crushed strawberries 1 cup minced jalapeño peppers, seeded  1/4 cup lemon juice 1 (2-ounce) package powdered fruit pectin 7 cups white sugar 8 half-pint canning jars with lids and rings, sterilized METHOD:...Read More